This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/6457901.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Doctors set to protest over jobs Doctors set to protest over jobs
(about 5 hours later)
Thousands of trainee doctors are set to protest in London and Glasgow on Saturday about a new system for allocating specialist jobs.Thousands of trainee doctors are set to protest in London and Glasgow on Saturday about a new system for allocating specialist jobs.
The system has been criticised as being 'badly organised' and for cutting the number of jobs available.The system has been criticised as being 'badly organised' and for cutting the number of jobs available.
A government review last week recommended changes are made before the next round of interviews.A government review last week recommended changes are made before the next round of interviews.
But doctors' leaders said not enough had been done to ensure a fair and efficient recruitment process.But doctors' leaders said not enough had been done to ensure a fair and efficient recruitment process.
If the best doctors don't get through, it's not the best thing for the NHS as a whole, or for patients. Remedy UK spokeswoman 'I'm going to work in New Zealand' If the best doctors don't get through, it's not the best thing for the NHS as a whole, or for patients. Remedy UK spokeswoman 'I'm going to New Zealand'
A protest group, Remedy UK, says the system called Modernising Medical Careers, involves a badly-run online application system and that the best doctors are not getting interviews for the best jobs.A protest group, Remedy UK, says the system called Modernising Medical Careers, involves a badly-run online application system and that the best doctors are not getting interviews for the best jobs.
It adds that the changes the Department of Health has proposed will not significantly better the situation.It adds that the changes the Department of Health has proposed will not significantly better the situation.
In addition, the doctors' group says, there are too few jobs. An estimated 28,000 UK trainees are applying for 22,000 posts.In addition, the doctors' group says, there are too few jobs. An estimated 28,000 UK trainees are applying for 22,000 posts.
The Department of Health has already said there will be "significant" changes to the second round of interviews, which is due to begin in April.The Department of Health has already said there will be "significant" changes to the second round of interviews, which is due to begin in April.
This will include allowing applicants to provide CVs and portfolios to support their applications. At present no CV can be included with an application form.This will include allowing applicants to provide CVs and portfolios to support their applications. At present no CV can be included with an application form.
People who have already been refused will be able to have their applications reconsidered.People who have already been refused will be able to have their applications reconsidered.
Faster trainingFaster training
But a spokeswoman for Remedy UK said not enough had been done to answer doctors' concerns.But a spokeswoman for Remedy UK said not enough had been done to answer doctors' concerns.
"This is about ensuring doctors get the right training. That's absolutely fundamental for patients' care."This is about ensuring doctors get the right training. That's absolutely fundamental for patients' care.
"Doctors agree. And they think there should be a competitive selection process - but it should be fair and accountable. This is a completely unfair system."Doctors agree. And they think there should be a competitive selection process - but it should be fair and accountable. This is a completely unfair system.
"If the best doctors don't get through, it's not the best thing for the NHS as a whole, or for patients.""If the best doctors don't get through, it's not the best thing for the NHS as a whole, or for patients."
The BMA is supporting the march, and shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley will make a speech in London.The BMA is supporting the march, and shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley will make a speech in London.
He said the NHS should, if necessary, revert to the conventional interview processes and tell the government they must make extra training posts.He said the NHS should, if necessary, revert to the conventional interview processes and tell the government they must make extra training posts.
"We cannot, we must not, abandon thousands of junior doctors; we must ensure that they can fulfil their vocation, for them and for our patients.""We cannot, we must not, abandon thousands of junior doctors; we must ensure that they can fulfil their vocation, for them and for our patients."
Doctors' training was revamped in 2005, with the aim of speeding up progress so juniors could reach consultant level in an average of 11 years, rather than the current 14.Doctors' training was revamped in 2005, with the aim of speeding up progress so juniors could reach consultant level in an average of 11 years, rather than the current 14.
However doctors who have been through their initial stage of training under both the old and the new systems are all competing for a limited number of specialist training posts.However doctors who have been through their initial stage of training under both the old and the new systems are all competing for a limited number of specialist training posts.
This is the point at which a doctor would select to focus on an area such as cancer medicine or paediatrics.This is the point at which a doctor would select to focus on an area such as cancer medicine or paediatrics.